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Auditions

TIME:July 1st and 3rd(Callbacks: July 9th at a location to be determined)Doors Open at 6:00Auditions for girls 10-17 begin at 6:30pm; all others begin at 7pm

***If you are unavailable for these audition dates, alternate auditions arrangements may be available (but are not guaranteed). Please contact our Production Manager at jdsmitty03@yahoo.com for more information.***...

REHEARSAL PERIODSeptember 24-November 1Note: A few cast meetings will be held prior to this production moving into the theatre on September 24.

Reverend Samuel Parris (approximately 40s) – Minister of Salem's church, disliked by many residents because of his power-hungry, greedy, and domineering personality. He is paranoid of being thrown out of Salem for having a witch as a daughter. At first, he attempts to silence rumors of witchcraft, but later sees they will work to his advantage.

Tituba (African-American, 30s-40s) – Reverend Parris’s slave from Barbados. Tituba agrees to perform voodoo at Abigail’s request and tries to raise the spirits of Ann Putnam’s dead children at her request. In the first scene she is turned in as a witch by Abigail and under duress accuses four other Salem women.

Abigail Williams (18-25) – Reverend Parris’s niece and the antagonist. Abigail was once the servant for the Proctor household, but Elizabeth Proctor fired her after discovering that Abigail had an affair with her husband, John. Smart, wily, a good liar, and vindictive when crossed, she uses her charismatic influence over the girls to gain power to supplant Elizabeth so she and John can marry.

Ann Putnam (40s) – Thomas Putnam’s wife, has given birth to eight children, but only Ruth Putnam survived. The other seven died before they were a day old, and Ann is convinced that they were murdered by supernatural means. She gives in to the witchcraft frenzy to implicate her enemies

Thomas Putnam (40s) – A wealthy, influential citizen of Salem, Putnam holds a grudge against Francis Nurse. He uses the witch trials to increase his own wealth by accusing people of witchcraft and then buying up their land.

Mary Warren (17-22) – A timid servant in the Proctor household and a member of Abigail’s group of girls. Easily influenced by those around her, she tries unsuccessfully to expose the hoax, but is thwarted by Abigail and the other girls. In order to save herself from their accusations of witchcraft, Mary ultimately recants her confession and turns on John Proctor.

John Proctor (mid-30s) – An honest farmer who lives just outside town and the protagonist; Elizabeth Proctor’s husband. A stern, harsh-tongued man, John hates hypocrisy. His hidden sin—his affair with Abigail Williams—proves his downfall. When the hysteria begins, he hesitates to expose Abigail as a fraud because he worries that his secret will be revealed and his good name ruined. He rejects Abigail and admits his wrongdoing, but Abigail continues to pursue him.

Rebecca Nurse (60s-70s) –Rebecca is a wise, sensible, and upright woman, pillar of the community, held in highest regard by most of the Salem community. Jealous of Nurse’s many children, the Putnams accuse her of witchcraft and, not only does she refuse to confess, but also she voices her opposition to the idea of witchcraft and falls victim to the hysteria.

Giles Corey (70s-80s) – An elderly but feisty farmer, famous for his tendency to file lawsuits and friend of John Proctor. After Giles’s wife, Martha, is accused of witchcraft, he is held in contempt of court and pressed to death with large stones. In spite of this torture, he refuses to plea (allowing his children to retain ownership of their property) and he refuses to accuse anyone else.

Reverend John Hale (mid-30s - 40s) – A young minister, reputed to be an expert on witchcraft, called in to Salem to examine Parris’s daughter. Well-educated, his critical mind and intelligence save him from falling into blind fervor. His arrival sets the hysteria in motion, although he later regrets his actions and attempts to save the lives of those accused, even begging some—like John Proctor—to lie and confess in order to live.

Elizabeth Proctor (late-20s – mid-30s) – John Proctor’s wife. Elizabeth fired Abigail when she discovered that her husband was having an affair with Abigail. Elizabeth is supremely virtuous, but often cold, especially to John whom she can’t forgive. She comes to realize this coldness may have contributed to John’s unfaithfulness.

Francis Nurse (70s-80s) – A wealthy, influential man in Salem. Nurse is well respected by most people in Salem, but is an enemy of Thomas Putnam and his wife.

Ezekiel Cheever (30-60) – An astute but morally weak man from Salem who acts as the witch trials’ court clerk. This upright friend to most residents of Salem quickly turns on former friends and those accused of witchcraft handling their arrests.

Judge Hathorne (40s-60s) – A judge who presides, along with Danforth, over the witch trials. Cold, ignorant and antagonistic, he denies any possible explanation other than witchcraft. Considered the “hanging judge” of the era.

Judge Danforth (60s) – Deputy Governor of Massachusetts and presiding judge at the witch trials. Honest, scrupulous and the ultimate authority, at least in his own mind, Danforth is convinced that he is doing right in rooting out witchcraft. He admits special evidence, but refuses to sign Mary Warren’s deposition that would exonerate Elizabeth Proctor.

Martha Corey (50s-60s) – Giles Corey’s third wife. Martha’s tendency to hide the books she reads lead to her arrest and conviction for witchcraft. Only her voice is heard from offstage as she testifies before the court.

John Willard (30-60) – The marshal of Salem responsible for bringing defendants before the court. Sympathetic, he comes to disbelieve the witchcraft allegations and refuses to make further arrests. He was then charged himself, arrested and hanged.

Sarah Good (50s) – one of the first to be accused of witchcraft, she is poor and often rejected from society. Pregnant at her trial, she gives birth in jail but the babies dies. The ordeal has affected her to the point of mental instability. She appears only briefly in the last scene.

GIRLS

Betty Parris (10-15) – Reverend Parris’s daughter. Betty falls into a strange stupor after Parris catches her and the girls dancing in the forest with Tituba.

Susanna Walcott (late teens) – Susanna is a nervous and hasty girl, younger than Abigail. She works for Dr. Griggs. She participates in the ritual in the woods with Tituba.

Mercy Lewis (late teens) – Servant to the Putnams, Mercy is “a fat, sly, merciless girl of eighteen.” She proves to be Abigail’s closest friend, sticking by her through the end and fleeing Salem with Abigail during the trials.

Additional girls may be cast, as needed

July 8 & 9

Bugsy Malone, Jr Auditions

Ages 8-18 M & F

Audition dates July 8 & 9 doors open at 6:30 pm audition process begins promptly at 7 pm. Please arrive on time. Callbacks only July 10 doors open at 6:30 pm callbacks begin promptly at 7 pm. If you are unable to attend the scheduled audition dates please email vpproduction@cumberlandplayers.com no later than one week prior to the scheduled dates for a possible pre-audition. We will try to accommodate you but this is not a guarantee.

Audition requirements:Prepare 16 - 32 measures from a Broadway musical to be performed for the director's casting committee. Must provide sheet music, Phone, MP3 player or cd accompaniment no vocal tracks may be on the CD or digital device accompaniment. Instrumental only. Learn a simple dance routine. Please wear comfortable clothes, sneakers, ballet or jazz shoes NO flip flops or sandals. Please bring all days, dates and times you are NOT available for rehearsals. A rehearsal schedule will not be available until after callbacks and the cast is selected.

For call backs. Be prepared to sing a selection from the Bugsy Malone, Jr score assigned by the directors. Call back music will be provided. Readings from the script. Tap shoes, dance shoes and ballet slippers for specific dance roles.

Production dates are September 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23. Tech week begins September 9 with a pick-up rehearsal the following week. There can be no conflicts for tech week or for any of the

performance days.

Cast Descriptions

BUGSY MALONE is the hero of our story. This role is equal parts Jimmy Stewart, James Bond and Gene Kelly. Bugsy alternates as the narrator and the lead of the show. A young performer comfortable in front of an audience, who radiates a sense of charm and sincerity as well as a street-wise sensibility.

Vocal Range: baritone/tenor

BLOUSEY BROWN is at first the typical young, wide-eyed, would-be star, just off the bus

from a small town. However, we find out that Blousey is a force to be reckoned with and certainly, nobody's fool. This is a large role that requires good singing and acting. A young Carol Burnett type is recommended.

Vocal Range: mezzo soprano

FAT SAM is the baddest of the bad guys whose biggest rival is Dandy Dan. Fat Sam should be an adept physical comedian with

a commanding stage presence. Note that Fat Sam does not need to be fat. You can dress him in a fat suit or cast a really small kid with a booming voice for comedic effect.

Vocal Range: baritone/tenor

TALLULAH is the classic gangster's moll. Cast a young woman who is self-confident and can deliver the role with deadpan sincerity and droll appeal. Tallulah is a Mae West type with a talent for performing. She needs to be a strong singer.

Vocal Range: alto

DANDY DAN is the unflappably stylish, debonair, underworld businessman who outwits Fat Sam every step of the way. Your Dan

should be comfortable singing his song, "That's Why They Call Him Dandy."

Vocal Range: baritone

FIZZY is an employee of Fat Sam's at the Grand Slam, whose duties mostly involve cleaning up the place. Fizzy has a difficult song

that requires emotional singing and a significant

range. Who can deliver Fizzy's sad-eyed hopes

and dreams as he sweeps up.

Vocal Range: tenor

FAT SAM'S GANG includes ROXY ROBINSON, ANGELO, SNAKE EYES, RITZY, SHAKE DOWN LOUIS and Sam's right-hand man, KNUCKLES. You may add as many ensemble members to the gangs as your stage can accommodate. These fellows are bumbling, funny, non- threatening hoodlums. They should be able to sing with gusto (if not in tune) and be willing to work on the rigors of physical comedy. Many productions have successfully cast girls in these roles.

DANDY DAN'S GANG members are really

bad guys. Also known as THE HOODS, they sing a little, but they splurge a lot! Cast suave- looking types who can pull off slicked-back hair and double-breasted suits. Many productions have successfully cast girls in these roles. The Hoods include BRONX CHARLIE, SHOULDERS, BENNY LEE, YONKERS, LAUGHING BOY and DOODLE. You may add as many ensemble members to gangs as your stage can safely accommodate. Remember, girls can easily be dressed up as male gangsters.

LENA MARELLI is the star of the "Lena Marelli Show!" and she lets everyone know it. Cast

a young performer who can TAKE OVER THE STAGE with a strong singing voice. An affected character voice is practically a requirement to deliver this role. Lena is not very bright, but she

is very loud. Think Lina Lamont from Singin' in

the Rain.

Vocal Range: soprano

The TALLULAH'S GIRLS perform at the speakeasy, and they include TILLIE, LORETTA, DOTTY and BANGLES. These girls should be very at home singing and dancing and should work well as ensemble singers. They are basically, Tallulah's gang!

FEATURED ENSEMBLE: These roles are featured comedic parts that do not require great singers:

OSCAR DE VELT is the stage equivalent of Cecil B. DeMille. A strong, confident actor will fit the bill here.

MARBINI THE MAGICIAN and the VENTRILOQUIST are two wonderfully funny smaller roles in the audition scene with Oscar De Velt. Both of them are convinced that they are world famous. Cast performers who can really sell these roles for all they are worth. The OPERA SINGER and the other bits in this scene are all great cameos.

The DOWN AND OUTS are representative of out-of-work, Depression era men and women of the soup kitchens, which include the COOKS serving in the kitchens. The Down and Outs

are ready for a cause, and helping Bugsy bring peace between Fat Sam and Dandy Dan is just what the doctor ordered. Additional ensemble roles in this scene include the PRIEST, CLIPBOARD WILLY and two DELIVERY GUYS. If you have a smaller cast, you can use the splurged from early scenes (Fat Sam's Gang!).

the BUTLER, the TRUMPET PLAYER ON ROLLER SKATES, the Line of AUDITIONEES at the Bijoux, POP BECKER, the BARBER

and FLASH FRANKIE. These are all good comic roles for young performers. In a smaller ensemble you can double many of these parts. Additionally, students can be cast as Speakeasy staff

and customers, including a WAITER, CANDY

GIRLS, LENA'S BODYGUARDS, MALE GAMBLERS, additional CHORUS

GIRLS, SPLURGE ATTENDANTS, SPEAKEASY CUSTOMERS, and MEMBERS OF FAT SAM and DANDY DAN'S GANGS. While these are smaller roles, that often steal the show and make for an even, well-rounded evening at the theatre.